New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-25
cUy steel md ARMOR.

THE TRIBUNE has no desire TO quaniy the
praise which Secretary Whitney is receiving
for his management Of tie bids for gun steel
and armor. The result OF the competition Is
highly satisfactory. While the proposals arc
few in number, the figures named arc low, ana
the guarantees furnished for performance OF
contract are ample. The bids OF the Beth
lehem Iron Company with the explanations oil
the manager OF the works leave 10 room Tor
doubt that the plant for making the largest
guns and for hamIncring steel armor plates OF
the best quality can be introduced and put III
operation within eighteen months or two years.
This result justles the stand taken by The
TRIBUNE and the Republican members OF the
Senate and the House on behalf Of the domesti-
cation OF naval and ordnance industries. The
Secretary himself is entitled To credit for carry
ing out the policy which his own party has per-
sistently opposed. His expedicnt of making
one contract Of the gun steel and armor and en-
couragng American manufacturers to take
steps for initiating the new industries was
shrewdly devised and has proved markedly
successful.
The bill for the increase Of the navy passed
by the House in July. 1856, authorized the
Secretary to purchase amor abroad for the
broadsides, if be should find it impractcablc to
obtain it at home The Senate wisely inter
yencd on behalf of American industries. de-
priyng him of discretionary power to import
armor. The Secretary lost no time III making
an appeal TO domestic manufacturers. lie was
able to advertise fol 400 tons of armor plato
and | 300 tons of gun Steel and to point to
Congressional warrants for an expenditure OF
So. 1872. 900 for the armament and protection
of vessels already authorized. American manu-
facturers receiving the assurance that large
amount Of material was to be contracted 1or'
and that they would he protected against Tor
eien competition, were encouraged to undertake
the work. Secretary Whitncy's last annual
report disclosed fixed determination on his
mart to promote the establishment Of industries
requisite for az adequate system OF National
defence. The Senate by the passage of the
twin Ordnance bills and its amendments to the
Naval Appropriation bill encouraged steel
makers to expect large contracts in future, If
they should conclude to provide an expensive
n,ant. The Republicans while in minority in
the House voted aS one man on all qucsuonS
relating TO Notifications and the increase OF the
navy, and were strong enough with the aid OF
patriotic Democrats TO secure large appropri-
atoms for gun forgings and armor of domestic
manufacture. The SeCretarys appeal to the
steel-makers was well timed and has met with
favorable response.
| At the close of the last session Senator Hale
remarked, in advocating the conference report
on the Naval Appropriation bill, that it carried
100000 for armor and gun steel, which
in connection with previous legislation would
enable the Secretary Of the Navy to offer in
ducements to the extent Of $4,000 or $4,000
tons for the establishment OF new steel indus
tries. Senator Hawlcy whose ordnance bills
had been smothcred by the House. consoled
himself with the reflection that the victory for
home manufactures had been won, and that In